Children and airport checkin

[lovingmy2boys]

Ok we are leaving for Disney in 13 days and I have a question about check in at the airport and the kids. They are 3 and 4 and I have their plane tickets. Will I need to show ID for them at the airport? If so I need to get one made for each.

 

[llp479]

You do not need ID for children.

 

[NotUrsula]

Just to be clear, since we don't know where the OP lives: you don't need ID for children on a DOMESTIC flight. If you are crossing an international border they will each need a valid passport. You must already have your boarding passes when approaching the security checkpoint.

Not related to getting through security and not relevant for the OP because her kids are older, but proof of age is sometimes required by the airline for a lap children who are under age 2, to prove that they are indeed eligible to fly free.

 

[DreaGirl]

I have flown with DD three times. She is currently 8 months old. All three times I have flown Northwest.

The first time, the security people stopped me for a second check. It was a big mess because I was flying by myself with DD who was 3 months old. They also made me take off her crib shoes. At that time, they asked if I had her birth certificate (I did.)

The second time, no stops, no questions.

The third time, 6 months old, the ticket lady asked to see her birth certificate.

So, the moral of this long post, bring the birth certificates.

 

[all4fun]

FYI, you only need a birth certificate for children flying as "lap babies" without their own ticket. This is because the FAA is very strict about the "under two" rule for children flying as lap babies. (The airline can be fined for allowing older children to fly this way). Although for the pp 6mos old - that should have been pretty obvious - but who knows, it's kind of like carding someone who's 65 - they do it because they have to.

DS has flown numerous times since 13mos, always with his own seat, and we've flown 3x with neices and a nephew, and we've never been required to show ID for them. All domestic flights, of course.

Hth!

 

[TheDizMom]

No ID necessary, you just have to be with them. Keep your boarding passes and your ID very easily available so you can show them to the security person without having to dig around for them while you are also trying to manage to get 2 small children and carry on bags through the check point. Put your kids in easily removed shoes because they will probably want everyones shoes removed and sent through the machine. Shoes that need tieing on a child who can't tie them for themselves is a real pain on the other end, because you either have to block traffic or haul everything off to the side to get them back on . I made that mistake last time and learned the hard way that a slip on or velcro shoe is a much better option. I will assume you are traveling with your DH but still try not to have too many bags so that one of you can be responsible for the bags and one of you for the kids.

Another tip when traveling with small kid. They don't have anything available on a plane anymore so bring whatever they may need yourself. Beverages are usually fine although the chances they will have milk is pretty slim since no one serves food anymore. As a former FA I know milk is only carried on meal flights and those are few and far between, which brings me to my next suggestion. Bring them food . Most likely all that will be served is a bag of some kind of snack food (which will never keep them satisfied for the whole trip) and if they do have a meal you will have to pay for it.

Happy flying

 

[corey2]

I just want to mention that if your children set off the detector they will be wanded (screened by hand). They also can randomly select children to be screened. I know that sounds just terrible but it happens. It happened to us and I totally melted down because they kept wanding my 5 year old. His jeans button was setting off the wand detector. I finally walked over and lifted up his shirt and said see it's a button. I 'm luckly they didn't throw us out. So just check your kids to make sure they don't have coins or cars stuck in thier pockets. I always put my kids in elastic waist pants when they fly now. It's more comfortable than jeans.

 

[mom2alix]

I just want to mention that if your children set off the detector they will be wanded (screened by hand). They also can randomly select children to be screened. I know that sounds just terrible but it happens. It happened to us and I totally melted down because they kept wanding my 5 year old. His jeans button was setting off the wand detector. I finally walked over and lifted up his shirt and said see it's a button. I 'm luckly they didn't throw us out. So just check your kids to make sure they don't have coins or cars stuck in thier pockets. I always put my kids in elastic waist pants when they fly now. It's more comfortable than jeans.

I'll second this. I was dumb enough to put DS2 in overalls last month and it was an ordeal at the airport. The poor screener acted a little embarassed since DS got so upset, but I know he was just doing his job. He was also wearing tied shoes (as was DD). Live and learn. Next trip - elastic pants and velcro shoes!

 

[abookworm]

I've taken my son under 2 on 3 flights in the last 2 yrs and flown Northwest and United and never been asked for a birth certificate. I think it depends on the airline and the person checking you in. I'd call ahead and just ask.
I wouldn't personally want to take a copy of a birth certificate on a trip just because things get stolen/lost on trips and that is too important a document to lose and have fall into the wrong hands.
I've never been asked for ID for any of my kids over numerous flights in the US.

HOWEVER, I did get some free lost child ID cards somewhere that I realized are really very smart to take on trips just in case-God forbid- something would happen. You might want to call your local police station and ask about these.

And unbrella strollers they fold up and send thru the xray which is easy but bigger strollers may be more of a pain because they have to wand them and check them out more-just FYI

 

[disneyeveryyear]

You may also want to play "airport" with your kids before you leave.

They will have to put everything they are carrying into the bin to be scanned, including blanket, baby doll, toy, etc. I didn't think of this the time my DD carried her baby doll with her. She was really upset that it was taken away just when she really felt the need for some security.

In addition, you may want to have them practice walking through a doorway in front of you and waiting on the other side in the hall since this is what they will have to do at the airport also. After they walk through, with no "beep", they will then be able to reclaim whatever they put through the "x-ray machine". You might also want to pretend to beep so you could wand them down with a banana or something.

Anything to help aleve their fears ahead of time is helpful.

 

[lovingmy2boys]

Thank you. They have flown before but it was two years ago and DS was a lap chid at that time and I had his BC. This time they both have their seats. I did make them little ID's anyway so that they had them.

 

[DreaGirl]

You may also want to play "airport" with your kids before you leave.

They will have to put everything they are carrying into the bin to be scanned, including blanket, baby doll, toy, etc. I didn't think of this the time my DD carried her baby doll with her. She was really upset that it was taken away just when she really felt the need for some security.

In addition, you may want to have them practice walking through a doorway in front of you and waiting on the other side in the hall since this is what they will have to do at the airport also. After they walk through, with no "beep", they will then be able to reclaim whatever they put through the "x-ray machine". You might also want to pretend to beep so you could wand them down with a banana or something.

Anything to help aleve their fears ahead of time is helpful.

Great idea. I hadn't even thought of her being afraid to go ahead of me.

 

[alicenwonder99]

Not only should you talk to your child about putting their stuffed animal, blanket, backpack, etc on the belt to be checked, they need to put their shoes and their hoodies on there. If you have a stroller, you'll have to take everything out of it, fold it up, and put in on the belt, too. We just put the children off to the side and take our time putting all of our stuff together.

When you get to the security person and have to show your IDs and your boarding passes, the security people have always asked my children to tell them their names.

I always bring the kids' birth certificates with, but I've never had to show them.

HTH

 

[corey2]

I don't know if the state you live in offers this, but I have wallet sized birth certificates for both children. My kids were born in TX and they had this option. It's great. Fantastic ideas tips about playing airport. I wish I had thought of that before my kids got wanded!

 

[NotUrsula]

Be aware that if you or your child is randomly selected for add'l security screening, you will not be allowed to hold or touch them while it is happening. The TSA folks make a big deal out of saying that "we will not separate you from your child." However, what they mean by that is that they will not take you out of sight of your child, but they won't let you hold hands, etc.

Be prepared for this possibility if you are the only adult in the party, because a toddler told to sit still and wait for Mommy may bolt, and if you try to run after him before the search has ended, you will be stopped. Talk to them about it in advance and tell them what they should do if it happens. For younger children, walking reins are a good hedge against this, as an officer may agree to hold the rein while you are wanded/patted down, while they will not hold a child directly. (Putting them into the stroller while you are wanded is usually not an option if you are alone, as the stroller will be on folded on the belt, and you will not be allowed to touch any of your belongings until the search is completed.)

 

[tacomaranch]

I really don't know what we do if they picked my son out. He has autism and would scream so loud and fall down on the floor. They would be begging me to help him.

Do they make medical exceptions?

 

[all4fun]

I really don't know what we do if they picked my son out. He has autism and would scream so loud and fall down on the floor. They would be begging me to help him.

Do they make medical exceptions?

This is the TSA section on "Children with Disabilities" There is a section on "hidden disabilities" which I would guess an autistic person would fall under.

People who have hidden disabilities can advise Security Officers that they have a hidden disability and that they may need some assistance, or to move more slowly than other passengers.

Family members or traveling companions can also advise security officers when they are traveling with someone who has a hidden disability. This is especially helpful if the disability may cause the person to move slowly, become agitated easily or need additional attention.

Family members or traveling companions can offer suggestions to Security Officers on the best way to approach and deal with the person with a hidden disability, especially if they need to touch the person during a pat-down inspection.

Family members or traveling companions can stay with the person during a public or private screening. They may, however, need to be re-screened if they provide assistance to the person.

Notify the Security Officer if you need to sit down before or during the screening process.

Hth.

 

[TiggerandTink]

You don't need id for children flying on domestic flights but we found that our kids got a kick out of have it. We took them to the Dept of Licensing and they were able to get an id card, looks just like our drivers licenses but says that it is an id card only. They got to have their picture taken and everything. Then at the airport I handed them their ids and boarding passes right before we got to the security line. This way they got to had it to the TSA checkers and it made them feel so important. Several of the TSAs commented on what a good idea it was and made an effort to take time to talk to the kids. Of course right after we got through security I collected the ids and boarding passes so they wouldn't be set down somewhere and lost. This also gives you a current picture, height and weight on your child should something happen and they get lost in the parks.